The latest on fires currently burning in Idaho
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Fires crews continue to battle over a dozen wildfires across Idaho Saturday. The majority of fires are in the southern and western Idaho. Currently there are no major fires burning in east Idaho but high winds are carrying smoke from other parts of the state to our area.
The smoke has caused the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality to declare air is unhealthy for sensitive groups in the Rexburg area.
Here are the latest updates on fires currently burning:
– The 900 Fire, 7 miles south of Shoshone, is approximately 75% contained at this time. The Incident Commander says that crews started early this morning to improve containment lines and work hot spots. Due to more accurate mapping, the fire is currently 2,245 acres. The cause of this fire is still under investigation.
– The Coonskin Fire, near Coonskin Butte, south of Balanced Rock was contained last night at 8:30. The fire is mapped at 400 acres, and the Incident Commander estimates the fire will be controlled at 11:30 p.m. The Coonskin Fire was determined to be caused by lightening.
– The 20 Mile Butte Fire, located about 10 miles south of Bliss, is currently 300 acres. The fire was contained last night at 10:00, and is expected to be controlled tonight at 8:00. The cause of this fire was determined to be lightening.
– The Saylor Fire, 20 miles west of Hagerman, is currently 2,261 acres. The fire is expected to be contained this morning at 10:00, with an estimated control time of 7:00 p.m. The cause of this fire was determined to be lightening.
– The Elkhorn Fire west of Clear Clerk and north of Elkhork Creek near Salmon is estimated to be 50 acres with 90% containment. The fire is burning in grass, brush, and timber with dead and down tree components. Although lightning caused fires should be permitted to play, as nearly as possible, their natural ecological role within the Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness, fire managers decided to suppress this fire due to its proximity to the non-wilderness boundary and considering values at risk within the Panther Creek drainage. Resources currently staffing the fire are 57 firefighters, and a helicopter. The helicopters are supporting firefighters with bucket drops. The helicopters may be observed dipping out of the main stem of the Salmon River.
– The Bobcat Fire is estimated at 30 acres, is burning in grass and fire, and is located north of Napoleon Gulch, west of the Salmon River, approximately 15 miles north of Salmon. The fire is visible from Highway 93. Fire managers ask the public to be mindful of traffic congestion along Highway 93. Fire managers urge the public to continue traveling past the fire area and not stopping along the roadway.
– The Soda Fire is burning eight miles northeast of Jordan Valley, Oregon in grass and sagebrush. Last night, strong winds pushed the fire east/southeast. The Owyhee County Sheriff’s Office issued a notification to residents to prepare to evacuate from the Bailey Road, Reynolds Road near the feedlot, China Ditch Road, and Wilson Creek due to extreme fire behavior that occurred in the early morning hours. The fire moved out of Wilson Creek and threatened residences in that community. Structure protection firefighters were able to protect these neighborhoods, and no structures were damaged or destroyed. There are no mandatory evacuations currently in place.
Firefighters have made good progress on the north end of the fire. Crews will focus on securing containment lines and putting out hot spots. A plan to rehabilitate containment lines is in progress.
Stay with EastIdahoNews.com for the latest on wildfires burning across the state.
Information and photos provided from the following sources:
The Idaho Fire Information Blog
Idaho Forest Product Commission
InciWeb Incident Information System
Idaho Department of Environmental Quality Real-Time Air Monitoring
